David McAllister MEP on EU-Costa Rica bilateral relations (6 November 2023)
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6. November 2023 In Aktuell, Allgemein, EN

David McAllister MEP on EU-Costa Rica bilateral relations (6 November 2023)

The European Parliament considers Costa Rica a truly like-minded country. Last week an AFET delegation travelled to Costa Rica to show that we highly value our partnership, particularly in the, current times of important geopolitical shifts and instability. Costa Rica is a key partner for the EU in Central America and the country’s involvement in the regional integration process is fundamental.

We share the same values on several important issues, such as human rights, social development and environment as well as on major international issues ranging from climate change to the fight against terrorism. The EU highly appreciates Costa Rica’s commitment to reinforcing multilateralism, demonstrated by its very active role in multilateral fora.

Costa Rica, as a member of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations for the period 2023-2025, has an important role to play in the promotion and protection of human rights, the promotion of peace, democracy, the rule of law and sustainable development. The EU is keen on strengthening our excellent bilateral relations and our alliance within a multilateral framework.

The EU has supported Costa Rica’s efforts for its accession to the OECD and is very pleased with Costa Rica’s formal accession of 25 May 2021, being the fourth Latin American country to join the OECD.

The EU-Central America Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, which came into force in 2014, enabled both regions to intensify political dialogue on issues of social cohesion, environment, technology and education. The 2013 EU-Central America Association agreement has not yet been ratified by the EU pending the ratification of one EU Member State (Belgium). On various occasions the European Parliament, has emphasised the need for the ratification of the Agreement. The situation is changing now, as Wallonia has finally greenlighted the agreement.